Valve lifter



March 2, 1937, E. DYSART VALVE LIFTER Filed April 4, 1955 a??? Jam y??? IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Illl INVENTOR.

BY 6 m %74 A TTORNEY Patented Mar. 2, 1937 UNITED STATES PATE T-"OFFER VALVE. LIFTER Edward Dysart, Visalia, Calif.

Application April 4, 1935, Serial No. 14,581

1 Claim. (01. 29-863) The invention relates to devices used for raising poppet valves of anintemal combustion engine or more specifically for compressing the spring used in connection therewith, for permitting detachment of the spring keepers on the valve stem andthereby releasing the valve for removal.

An object of the invention is to provide a valve lifter of the character described which may be supported and operated exclusively and completely with the use of but one of the hands of the operator and which will thereby leave the other hand free for attaching or removing the spring keepers of the valve and assisting generally in i5 expediting the dismantling or assembling of the valve mechanism. Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which will be simple and easy to operate and light in weight and 20 construction and yet be capable of exerting a powerful compressive force.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character above which may be used with equal facility for dismantling or as- 25 sembling poppet valves in an L head or overhead type of valve assembly commonly used in internal combustion engines. I

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a valve lifter of the character described 3 which will be comprised of but a few operating parts whereby the cost of manufacture and assembly will be substantially reduced to a minimum, and the likelihood of defective operation practically eliminated.

35 The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, wlll be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawing accompanying and 40 forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claim. 45 Referring to said drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a valve lifter constructed in accordance with my invention and shown operatively positioned for use with a valve, and is shown with the operating mechanism in 60 section. V

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a part of 'the operating mechanism shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view taken sub- 55 stantially on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

1 Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view of a portion of the device shown in Figure 1 and taken substantially on the plane of the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

' Figure 5 is a side elevational view partly in section of an adapter member which may be used in conjunction with the device shown in Figure 1.

With reference to the drawing, the valve lifter of my invention, as previously explained, is arranged for use in connection. with the usual pop- 10 pet type valve 6 of an internal combustion engine 'l and serves to compress the valve spring 8 by lifting the spring rest 9 from the end of the valve stem H so as to aiford access to the spring keepers 12 for either removing them from or 15 attaching the same to the lower end of the valve stem. Briefly, the lifter functions through the use of two normallyspaced members, one a bifurcated member M which is arranged to engage about the spring rest 9 and the other a ram I6 which is arranged to engage directly against the head l3 of the valve, and the forceful drawing together of the members so as to compress the valve spring 8 and thereby expose the lower end of the vvalve stem for attachment or removal of the keepers. These members are supported by a U shaped frame I! having spaced sides l8 and I9 arranged for positioning opposite the ends of the valve 6 and a connecting side 2! which may be conveniently grasped by the operator for supporting the device in operable position. The bifurcated member M may be bolted or otherwise secured to the outer end of the side l9, while the ram I 6 is slidably carried in a pressure cylinder 22 which is mounted between a pair of attaching sections 23 here shown formed integrally with the end of the side l8. y

In accordance with the present invention, fluid is forced into the pressure cylinder 22 so as to cause the ram I6- to move outward therefrom and to thereby shorten the space between the outer end of the ram and the member 14. Preferably'a supply of operating fluid such as oil is carried directly on the device, such as here shown within a reservoir or cylinder 24 provided 5 within a casing 26 which may, as illustrated, be formed integrally with the pressure cylinder 22. To extend the ram, oil is pumped from the reservoir into the pressure cylinder by means of' a pump mechanism, here including a pump cylinder 21 formed laterally in the casing 26 and a pump piston 28 reciprocally mounted in the cylinder. A cap 29 is provided over the outer end of the pump cylinder and through which is extended the outerend 3| of the piston 28. Means for reciprocating the piston in the pump cylinder here comprises a lever 82 which is pivoted adjacent an end 38 thereof to the side l8 of the frame and linked to the outer end 8| of the piston by means of a link 84 connecting such end and the outer end 88 of the lever. Preferably the action of the lever is augmented by a spring 88 which serves to return the piston to an outward position after the same is pressed inwardly by the lever, such spring in the present case being mounted about the outer end of the piston between an abutment 81 formed thereon and the outer side of the cap 29. If desired, a cylindrical sheath 38 may be formed integrally with the outer side of the cap for covering the spring. Also, as will be clear-from Figure l, a packing gland 88 is carried at the inner side of the cap 28 for sealing the end of about the piston.

Oil is drawn into the pump cylinder from the reservoir through means of a passage 4! formed in the casing 26, and to prevent the oil from backing up in this passage on operation of the pump, a check valve 42 is provided in the passage the" pump cylinder 21 which opens only in the direction of flow of oil to the pump. Passage of oil from the pump to the pressure cylinder is afforded through a passage 48 formed in the casing 26, and to prevent a reverse flow of oil from the pressure cylinder into the pump cylinder a check valve 44 is provided in the passage 48 and opened. only in the direction of flow of oil towards the pressure cylinder. Thus, it will be clear that on reciprocation of the pump piston 28, oil will be drawn from the reservoir into the pump cylinder on the outward movement of the pump piston and will be forced into the pressure cylinder on the inward movement of the pump cylinder. Oil forced into the pressure cylinder may flow to the upper end thereof for extending the ram by leaving a small clearance between the sides of the ram and the pressure cylinder, while such oil is prevented from escaping from the lower open end of the pressure cylinder by means of a packing gland is only effected at 46 carried in compressed relation about the ram at the lower end of the pressure cylinder by means of a cap 41 threadedly secured to the end of the pressure cylinder.

After the ram has been extended and the dismantling or assembling operation on the engine valve completed, the ram may be permitted to retract back into the pressure cylinder under the urge of the engine valve spring 8 by venting the pressure chamber directly with the reservoir. This is here arranged to be effected by means of a passage 48 provided in the casing 28 but to prevent such a flow of oil up to the time when the release of the ram 49 is mounted in the passage and normally stops such flow. In the present arrangement, the valve 48 is provided with a stem 5| which extends from the passage 48 into the end oi! the pressure cylinder 21. Thus, it is possible by moving the piston 28 to the end'of its stroke to engage the stem and displace the valve 49 from its seat in the passage 48 and thereby allow the oil to flow through such passage from the pressure cylinder to the reservoir. As will be understood, during the operation of the device to extend the ram, the piston 28 is not moved completely to the end of its stroke, and therefore the valve 49 will remain seated and such a movement of the piston the time a release of the ram is desired by drawing the lever 32 completely back against the connecting side H of the frame.

In order that the complete return of the ramever,

is desired, a check valve.

-jointly with said frame with into the pressure cylinder will be insured, a tension spring 52 may be secured to the top 83 of the pressure cylinder 22 and to the top of the, ram [6.

Since, as will be understood, during the operation of the device the oil is first drawn from the reservoir and then returned thereto the level oi! the oil in the reservoir will change during the course of operation. Thus, it is desirable to communicate the top of the reservoir with the atmosphere so that this change of level of the oil may not be resisted and accordingly, as here shown, a perforate cap 56 is secured to the upper end of the reservoir. In order that oil may not be able to escape through the cap should the device be tilted to a position disposing the cap reservoir, I prefer to place a float 51 within the reservoir which, while following the level of the oil therein, will extend thereacross into sealing engagement with the side walls of the reservoir.

One of the important features in the above relation lies in the positioning of the lever 32 as described. This positioning makes possible for the grasping and operation of the lever by the fingers of the same hand which is used to engage the side 2| of the frame in supporting the device. Thus, the support and operation of the valve lifter may be exclusively and completely effected by the use of but one hand, and thereby leave the other hand free to remove or assemble the keepers or otherwise assist in facilitating the work.

As will also be clear from the foregoing, the device may with equal facility be used for effecting the removal or assembly of poppet valves in either an L head or overhead engine construction. The

drawing shows the normal positioning of the device for engaging the valves of an L head engine and, as will be understood, where the device is used with an overhead type valve system, the top head block may be readily inverted to dispose the valves in the general position shown by the drawing, or, for that matter, the valve lifter itself may be readily turned or inverted. Howif desired, a separate spring rest engaging member 6| may be attached to the end of the ram i6 for rendering the device most readily adapted for overhead type valves. This member is provided with a tubular end portion 68 which is arranged for fitting over the lower end of the ram and for securing thereto as by a set screw 82 and is provided with spaced arm portions 63 having end faces 64 and lateral retaining portions 66 for engaging about and seating the spring rest.

Also, it will now be clear that while the device uses but a few operating parts, and is relatively light inconstruction, the same, by reason of the hydraulic operation and the relatively great le verage provided by the lever 32, will be capable of exerting a powerful compressive force between the member l4 and the ram I6.

I claim:

A valve lifter for engaging portions of a poppet valve assembly for compressing the spring thereof for permitting access to the spring keeper comprising, a support, means on said support for engaging one of said portions, a cylinder mounted on said support, a ram slidably mounted in said cylinder and extendible therefrom to engage said other valve assembly portion, a fluid reservoir mounted on said support, pump means including a cylinder and piston for forcing fluid from said reservoir into said first cylinder for extending said ram, a lever arranged for grasping a single hand of aovaoee v 3 the operator for actuating said pump piston, a

passage communicating said reservoir and pump cylinder, a check-valve in said passage opening in the direction of flow towards said pump cylinder, a passage connecting said pump cylinder and first cylinder, a check valve in said last passage opening inthe direction of fluid flow towards said first cylinder, a passage communicating said first cylinder and reservoir, and valve means in said last passage and positioned for engagement and displacement by said pump piston on movement of the latter by said lever beyond a. normal pumping position for permitting fluid flow from said first cylinder to said reservoir to thereby enable retraction of said ram from said valve assembly portion. 7

. EDWARD DYSAR'I. 

